Paterno

Joe Posnanski's biography of the late Penn State football coach Joe Paterno follows in the tradition of works by Richard Ben Cramer on Joe DiMaggio and David Maraniss on Vince Lombardi. Having gained unprecedented access to Paterno, as well as the coach's personal notes and files, Posnanski spent the last two years of Paterno's life covering the coach, on (and off) the field and through the scandal that ended Paterno's legendary career.

I listen to three or four books a month, try to rate most of them but seldom write a review. This time I am obligated. Let's preface it all with stating I am a Penn State alumni. I bleed Blue & White. But it isn't because of a school known for football (and gymnastics and ice hockey and volleyball and wrestling), but, more importantly, because it is a great academic institution. Being Penn State proud I wanted to know the REAL, full story about JoePa. The author began and almost finished this biography before the Sandusky incident, but, as he explains, he could not write an honest biography without getting into all the circumstances surrounding that terrible issue. I am sure many of those who believed in Paterno will want to hear this story; but it is those who did not, or lost faith in this man, they need to hear the whole story. I will admit I cried more than once listening to how this coach dealt with many of the incidents of his life and his coaching career. This is a good book, a moving story, and an emotional ride.And it would be remiss on my part to fail to mention the tremendous job Joe Montenga did in narrating this book. The texture of his voice, the empathy of his reading, was first rate.Thank you Joe Posnanski for a most thorough story on the full life of Joe Paterno.

The Martian

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there. After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain old "human error" are much more likely to kill him first. But Mark isn't ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?"

Not Taco Bell Material

Funnyman Adam Carolla is known for two things: hilarious rants about things that drive him crazy and personal stories about everything from his hardscrabble childhood to his slacker friends to the hypocrisy of Hollywood. He tackled rants in his first book, and now he tells his best stories and debuts some never-before-heard tales as well. Adam Carolla started broke and blue collar and has now been on the Hollywood scene for over 15 years. Yet he never lost his underdog demeanor.

Initially I was simply going to write "don't waste a credit on this one" but that may not be enough to dissuade Audible listeners. This was just lewd and not worthy of anyone's time. Adam was fortunate to find Jimmy Kimmel who gave him a career, but this book is about his life before that. If my sons lived their life the way Adam did, I would have been totally embarrassed and denied they were mine. Just filthy stories, seldom funny, never inspiring, usually degrading. Not even sure why a publisher would have considered releasing it. It is that bad. Don't bother wasting a credit on this trash. Please..

In a Sunburned Country

Every time Bill Bryson walks out the door, memorable travel literature threatens to break out. His previous excursion on the Appalachian Trail resulted in the best seller A Walk in the Woods. Now, we follow him "Down Under" to Australia with this delectably funny, fact-filled, and adventurous performance that combines humor, wonder, and unflagging curiosity. More from Bill Bryson.

Bill Bryson's works are all top shelf; never less than five stars. First, he narrates his own stories. His wit and satire bring me to tears. He is laugh out loud funny. Second, and to me this is the best part, I always learn something. His works are always educational, thought provoking, and honest. Not a better combination anywhere. I guarantee if you listen to just one of his works you will be signing up for all the rest. He is THAT good.

Mockingjay: The Final Book of The Hunger Games

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena live, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge....

I try to write reviews when I think they are warranted; sometimes I can be critical. I don't often read books that are in a long series, I get bored. But this being a trilogy, I thought I could get through it. Only this time I think the author got bored too. I really liked the first book, I'd give it 4 1/2 stars. The second was okay, not as interesting, only three stars. I was hoping for a traumatic conclusion in the final book, but it never happened. Too much re-living the past; not a lot to hold my interest. And I got the impression even the author may have been getting tired, thought "if this were eight or ten books, how would I end it?" and then just felt, why wait, I'll end it here, do a little forecasting in the future and let it be over. It was disappointing. Two stars maybe. Although I did enjoy the author's comments at the end on here background for creating the Games.However, I have not given up on the author, I'm sure there will be future writings worth listening to.

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

Why we think it’s a great listen:Seabiscuit was a runaway success, and Hillenbrand’s done it again with another true-life account about beating unbelievable odds. On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared.....

I listen to dozens of books every year and this one has to be one I would put on the top of my list for 2011. A true, unbelieveable story. Hard to accept what our American prisoners of war had to endure.If you enjoyed Seabiscuit, you'll like this one even more. Well researched, well told.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Hard to believe American servicemen serving in the Pacific could ever forgive the Japanese for their harsh, unforgiveable treatment.

The Fifth Witness

Mickey Haller has fallen on tough times. He expands his business into foreclosure defense, only to see one of his clients accused of killing the banker she blames for trying to take away her home. Mickey puts his team into high gear to exonerate Lisa Trammel, even though the evidence and his own suspicions tell him his client is guilty. Soon after he learns that the victim had black market dealings of his own, Haller is assaulted, too - and he's certain he's on the right trail. Despite the danger and uncertainty, Haller mounts the best defense of his career in a trial where the last surprise comes after the verdict is in.

Fighter Pilot: The Memoirs of Legendary Ace Robin Olds

A larger-than-life hero with a towering personality, Robin Olds was a graduate of West Point and an inductee in the National College Football Hall of Fame for his All-American performance for Army. In World War II, Olds quickly became a top fighter pilot and squadron commander by the age of 22—a double ace with twelve aerial victories. But it was in Vietnam where the man became a legend.

The anchor of The O'Reilly Factor recounts one of the most dramatic stories in American history—how one gunshot changed the country forever. In the spring of 1865, the bloody saga of America's Civil War finally comes to an end after a series of increasingly harrowing battles. President Abraham Lincoln's generous terms for Robert E. Lee's surrender are devised to fulfill Lincoln's dream of healing a divided nation. But one man and his band of murderous accomplices are not appeased....

An easy listen to well known history. A few minute details not heard before (but not sure how they were verified). More information on the participants in the conspiresy than I had known before. Worth the time, but not a five.

Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World

The Mongol army led by Genghis Khan subjugated more lands and people in 25 years than the Romans did in 400. In nearly every country the Mongols conquered, they brought an unprecedented rise in cultural communication, expanded trade, and a blossoming of civilization.

The Genghis Khan I thought I has learned about was a ruthless warrior. It was interesting to learn the real truth about a historical figure that has had such an influence on the modern world. He saw the world not a place to be conquered, but as an opportunity to expand his knowledge, enhance his culture, and yet retain his history. Then the story continued beyond this one man's story to include how he influenced his peoples future. Well read. It deserved to make it to the "finals" in the book tournament.

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